"It" Can't Be Helped (Revised) | ✔️ | Blue Exorcist

48

Yukio had fretted over me like a helicopter parent, asking me questions just to re-confirm them a few minutes later. I'd simply flopped back onto my bed, grabbed my blanket, and hid from the outside world. After being told I would be excused from the rest of my classes, I waved him off, thanking him as he left before our lunch period ended. In the brief period before sleep took hold of my body, I couldn't help but think about how horribly this school year had started. It had just barely begun and yet I was being called in absent for the day. Just what was that going to solve? Either I dealt with these problems today or it waited until Monday. To be completely honest, the anxiety of dealing with these thoughts throughout the weekend seemed far worse than just taking the stares head-on.

At some point, I'd fallen asleep. When I awoke, I grabbed my phone and checked the time. There was about half an hour before day classes would be over. Seeing as how I'd rather not rot in my bed for the rest of the night, I decided to push myself up on the bed. Kuro groaned, flopping off of my stomach and falling back into a coma. I smirked and stretched my arms over my head, feeling a few pops in my spine. Sleeping in my uniform had been far from comfortable, the material itching and leaving imprints against my wrists and neck. Shoving myself up and over to my closet, I retrieved one of my nicer sweatshirts and a pair of comfortable — yet presentable — pants. Pulling a comb through my hair before creeping back into the bedroom, I cast a wayward glance at my sleeping familiar before finding my key. I walked to a random door in the dorm and slotted the key inside. Once securely inside the cram school, I sighed. I knew Kuro had been itching for answers, and my only reprieve from his questions had been sleep. I'm sure I'd have to answer to him later tonight, however.

I walked to my first class — Exorcist's Etiquette — with just a few minutes left to spare in the school day. When I pushed open the door to the room, the old, haggard teacher gave me a surprised look. That quickly evolved into a dubious stare as he registered my clothing. I ignored his gaze until I made it over to my seat, sitting down and bringing out my notebook to study for a few minutes. "There isn't a dress code for cram school," I stated it plainly, not wanting to piss the old man off.

He scoffed, obviously taking offense to my tone despite my effort. "These younger generations have no sense of professionalism." I rolled my eyes, keeping my face down so he wouldn't see my act of defiance as another opportunity to shit on the young folk. I didn't need to give him a reason, though. "An Exorcist should always be presentable, required dress code or not. The fact that you had the audacity to come to these classes dressed that way is proof enough that you don't take this career seriously."

It was my turn to scoff, bitterness tainted the back of my throat and I rose my head to give the elderly man a pointed glare. "The fact I came to class at all should be proof that I do, in fact, take this seriously."

His wrinkled face contorted with disdain. Shaking his head, he shuffled some papers on his podium before addressing me. "Doing the bare minimum is not something to boast about, boy."

I ground my teeth, "Don't call me boy, gramps."

The classroom door opened before Renzo and Shiemi walked in, but that fact didn't stop the man from continuing our argument. Either he didn't care, or he needed to change the battery on his hearing-aids. "How disrespectful. This is exactly what I was talking about. None of you kids in this generation have any respect for your superiors, and that will get you nowhere." A heavy blush flooded Shiemi's cheeks and Renzo's eyes went wide as he stared at the floor. Both of them quietly made their ways to their seats, trying their best to stay out of our teacher's way. I, on the other hand, was already in his crosshairs so I let my lips pull up into a smirk.

"You'll get my respect when you earn it, Sensei. Just because you were born before me doesn't give you immunity to criticism."

He folded his hands over the podium and leaned against it. His eyes turned thoughtful, "and does everyone get this attitude from you until they've earned your respect?"